Chios Greece Travel Guide for 2025: Explore Like a Local

Chios Port, Summer 2025

Chios is a beautiful, calm island in the eastern Aegean Sea. It's not as crowded as other Greek islands. It offers authentic local life, clean beaches, and unique traditions. If you are planning your 2025 holiday, Chios Greece is the perfect destination!

This guide gives you everything you need. You will find tips on how to get to Chios, what to eat, where to swim, and how to enjoy your time like a local.

Why Visit Chios Greece in 2025

Our island is not just a place to visit. It is a place to feel. Known for its mastic trees, it is the only island in the world where this natural treasure grows. The scent of the trees and the peaceful silence of the villages create a unique atmosphere.

Villages like Pyrgi and Mesta feel alive with history. People gather in the squares, share stories, and welcome visitors with open hearts. The food is simple and delicious. Fresh fish, handmade cheese, and local herbs turn every meal into a memory.

Chios is quiet, calm, and deeply authentic. Its beaches are clean and wide, with clear water and soft light. No noise, no too much crowds. Just space to breathe.

But the true beauty of Chios is its people. Warm, generous, and proud of their roots.

How to Get to Chios Greece

Getting to Chios is easy:

• By Air: Daily flights from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Chios Airport (JKH). Flight time is about 45 minutes.

• By Ferry: Ferries from Piraeus Port in Athens run 3–5 times per week. The trip takes around 8 hours. You can take your car with you if you want to explore the island more freely.

• By Ferry: There are also daily ferries from Cesme, Turkey. The trip to Chios takes about thirty minutes. This is a popular route in summer and a great option if you are traveling through the Turkish coast.

Top Villages to Visit

Chios is full of charming villages. Each one offers a different experience.

• Pyrgi: Famous for its black-and-white geometric wall designs. Please make sure to read our blog about Pyrgi for more information.

• Mesta: A medieval village with narrow alleys and a peaceful square.

• Avgonima: A quiet village on a hill surrounded by pine trees. It offers one of the best sunset views on the island and traditional stone houses. Please read our full guide about Avgonima village for more details.

• Katarraktis: A small fishing village with a relaxed vibe. It is ideal for fresh seafood by the sea and peaceful walks along the shore. Explore more about this beautiful village here.

Walk around. Talk to locals. Taste traditional sweets. Every village has its own story

Best Beaches

Chios beaches are clean and quiet. You will find sandy spots, pebbled shores, and crystal-clear water.

• Mavra Volia: Black volcanic pebbles, deep blue sea.

• Komi Beach: Sandy, family-friendly, with restaurants nearby.

• Agia Fotini: Clear water, good for snorkeling.

• Elinta Beach: A quiet bay, perfect for relaxing.

Bring water shoes for pebbled beaches. And don’t forget sunscreen. The sun can be strong.

What to Eat

Food in Chios is simple, fresh, and full of flavor. Try these:

• Mastiha desserts: Made from local mastiha resin.

• Traditional Massourakia: A beloved local pastry filled with crushed nuts and spices, rolled in phyllo dough, and baked until golden.

• Fresh fish: Try grilled octopus or fried calamari. Many seaside tavernas serve fish caught the same day, like in Katarraktis, Lagada, or Pantoukios villages.

• Lentils from Volissos: A local favorite.

• Homemade, local cheese and honey: Often served at breakfast.

• Chios citrus fruits: Oranges and mandarins from Kampos are full of aroma. They are used in jams, liqueurs, and cakes.

Ask your Airbnb host for food recommendations. Locals know the best spots!

Things to Do

There’s something for everyone.

• Explore the Chios Mastiha Museum: Learn how mastiha is made!

• Go hiking: Trails with sea views and green landscapes.

• Visit Nea Moni Monastery: A UNESCO site full of history.

• Join a local festival: Especially during Easter, with fireworks and music.

• Visit the Castle in Chios Town: A large medieval fortress near the port. Walk along its old walls, visit hidden churches, and explore narrow alleys inside its stone gates.

• See Homer’s Stone: A peaceful spot in Daskalopetra, believed by many locals to be where the ancient poet Homer taught his students. The view of the sea is inspiring and calm.

Try to learn a few Greek words. Locals appreciate it and are happy to help.

Book Your Airbnb Stay in Chios Greece

Ready to discover this beautiful island in 2025?

Choose a cozy Airbnb in the village or by the beach or Chios town. Stay close to locals. Feel like you belong.

Look for homes with outdoor spaces to enjoy the evening breeze, like our Fenestra Mare Home, just 5 minutes away from the town and beach. Ask your host for insider tips. They will help you make the most of your trip.